Advocating for Georgia Hearts: Our 2026 Policy Priorities

In Georgia, the American Heart Association is championing policies that protect families, expand access to care, and promote healthier communities. Our agenda reflects the urgent need to address chronic disease, prevent sudden cardiac death, and support local health initiatives across the state.

Here’s what we’re focused on this year:

Protecting Student Athletes from Sudden Cardiac Arrest
We’re advocating for statewide guidelines to help detect cardiac risk in student athletes and prevent sudden cardiac death. These guidelines would follow clinical best practices from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, helping schools identify warning signs early and keep young athletes safe.

Expanding Access to Care
We’re calling on Georgia lawmakers to fully expand Medicaid so that all Georgians can access the care they need. We’re also urging the state to require Medicaid coverage of comprehensive tobacco cessation services—including counseling and medication—with little or no cost-sharing. These steps are critical to reducing chronic disease and improving health outcomes.

Supporting Healthy Food Access
A healthy diet can help individuals manage chronic conditions, such as heart disease. That’s why we’re advocating for funding to support a produce prescription program that connects underserved Georgians with locally grown fruits and vegetables. This initiative helps patients manage chronic conditions while strengthening local food systems.

Advancing Paid Family and Medical Leave
Health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. We’re supporting policies that ensure employees have access to paid family and medical leave—so they can care for themselves or loved ones during serious health events, or bond with a new child without sacrificing financial stability.

Driving Local Change
Cities and towns across Georgia are leading the way on heart health. This year, we’re supporting:

• Complete Streets policies in Savannah to make roads safer and more accessible for all users.
• Smoke-free ordinances in DeKalb County, McDonough, and Albany to protect residents from secondhand smoke and vaping indoors.
• Produce prescription funding in Fulton County to expand access to healthy food for residents with diet-related illnesses.

From statewide reforms to local action, these priorities reflect our commitment to building a healthier Georgia—one policy at a time.